42 y/o boss ‘would be exciting appointment for fans’ at Ibrox

Rangers could make an ‘exciting appointment’ by luring Michael Beale back to the Ibrox dugout as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s successor, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Queens Park Rangers boss was previously a member of Steven Gerrard’s backroom staff when he was in charge of the Gers.

What’s the latest news involving Beale?

According to The Scottish Sun, Beale will be given permission to open talks with Rangers in the next 24 hours.

The report suggests the 42-year-old, who only moved into the QPR hot seat during the summer, is the Glasgow giants’ first choice option to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the Gers are now set to make an official approach.

It is understood that Beale’s current employers are expecting him to swap Loftus Road for Ibrox, but sporting director Ross Wilson is still working through a shortlist of alternative targets.

Rangers’ interest comes after the ex-Aston Villa assistant head coach turned down an approach from Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.

Beale has led QPR to nine victories and four draws from his 22 matches at the helm of the Championship side.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Pete O’Rourke said about Beale?

O’Rourke believes handing Beale the managerial reins would go down well in the Rangers fanbase.

The journalist feels the leading contender for the job was a key reason for Gerrard’s successful stint at Ibrox.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I think he would be an exciting appointment for Rangers fans.

“The supporters are very keen on Beale and he obviously had a very successful time with the club under Steven Gerrard.

“It was Beale who did a lot of the coaching and set-up of the team during Gerrard’s successful time in charge at Ibrox.”

Why are Rangers looking for a new manager?

Following an underwhelming first half of the season, van Bronckhorst was sacked by the Rangers hierarchy earlier this week.

The Dutchman’s dismissal came just a year after he moved into the hot seat, but the Gers’ key decision-makers were left with little choice.

Heading into the break from domestic football, Rangers had already fallen nine points adrift of arch-rivals Celtic, who currently lead the way in the Scottish Premiership.

It comes after also setting a record for the worst-ever Champions League group stage, having lost all six fixtures and racked up a goal difference of -20.

Van Bronckhorst led Rangers to 42 victories from his 68 matches at the helm, while his side clinched the Scottish Cup last season.

Were it not for a penalty shoot-out defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the final, the 47-year-old would have also won the Europa League in May.

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